The General Council of Democratic Union Party (PYD) released a written statement on Thursday’s reports that a fire erupted on Imralı Island where Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan is held together with his secretariat; Hamili Yıldırım, Ömer Hayri Konar and Veysi Aktaş.

PYD stated that the report of fire outbreak on Imralı was met by the Kurdish people with great suspicion and concern, saying; “It is particularly attention grabbing that the fire erupted on the anniversary of the Dolmabahçe Agreement (announced on 28 February 2015 as part of the resolution process between Öcalan and the Turkish state). For this very reason, this is never an ordinary incident and it raises suspicion and concerns among us and our people. We highlight our and people’s concerns over the situation of Leader Abdullah Öcalan and demand that lawyers be allowed access to Imralı and make a statement to relieve our concerns as immediate as possible.”

PYD called on the people to take to the streets until Öcalan meets with his lawyers and a statement is made confirming that he is in good state of health and safe.